It is with great sadness that we note that Tsuneji Sakakibara, 6th dan, died July 22, 2013.
Sakakibara Sensei was born February 3, 1937, in Handa (Aichi), Japan. He had succeeded Jon Takagi Sensei as Chief Instructor of Arizona Aikido after Takagi Sensei's death in February 1984. As his health started to fail, he took on the role of Chief Instructor Emeritus and continued to teach classes at Arizona Aikido on a fairly regular basis.

Imaizumi Sensei officiated his Shodan test many, many years ago. I traveled with Imazumi Sensei to Mr. Sakakibara's dojo a number of years ago, when my teacher was invited to teach a seminar at his school, celebrating one of Mr. Sakakibara's milestones in Aikido.

I was very fortunate to have met Mr. Sakakibara and his students at the dojo. He was a gentleman through and through. I speak for all of Shin-Budo Kai when I extend our organization's condolences to his family, friends, students, and teachers.